A LONG-awaited report about asbestos contamination on the old Turner's site is now in the hands of planning chiefs.

A LONG-awaited report about asbestos contamination on the old Turner's site is now in the hands of planning chiefs.

The result of the £80,000 survey, ordered by the council, was due to be published in October, but was delayed because additional work was needed.

Ken Smith, head of planning for Rochdale Council, has given assurances that the report will be made available to the public as soon it is supplied to the developers who want to build 600 homes on ground that once housed the biggest asbestos producing mill in Europe.

He said: "The council's consultants, Atkins Global, have now finished their review.

"The council is now checking to make sure that it satisfactorily fulfils the brief."

The draft is also being checked by organisations like the Health and Safety Executive and the Primary Care Trust.

The finished report will then be supplied to the site owners, developers and their consultants and at the same time will be released as a public document.

Jason Addy is among the residents who formed the Save Spodden Valley (SSV) campaign nearly two years ago when the felling of 200 trees raised concerns about disturbing asbestos in the soil.

He said he welcomed the assurance that residents would get to see the report at the same time as developers Countryside Properties and MMC Developments.

He said: "Given that the Atkins report has taken 12 months to collate, we expect it to be very thorough.

"It would be welcomed if the report and a non-technical summary could be made available via the internet.

"From day one, our campaign has asked for all facts and decision-making processes to be open and accountable so that the whole community can be involved.

"As soon as the SSV campaign receives the report there are several organisations in the UK, Europe and North America who have volunteered their services to make contributions and recommendations for a permanent solution to contamination in the Spodden Valley."